The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
935.2011.1
Snarg Ice piton/screw
29/09/2011
Hermione Cooper
29/09/2011
Hammer in,screw out, SNARG ice screw/piton with wedge shaped hangar.
metal
14(l) x 5.5(circumference) cms
1
silver
American climber Greg Lowe invented the first hammer in,screw out, ice screw in the 1970's and for some reason or other called it a 'snarg'. He went into production, in a joint deal with Italian manufacturers, CAMP, around 1980. The one we have here seems to be a pirate version as we can't find any markings on it, and there are a couple of variations from the originals.
Mick Tighe acquired this one somewhere along the way, though in the ever evolving world of ice screws/ pitons, its use would have been brief - probably a few seasons in the 1980's.
P.S. Apparently,creator of the 'Snarg', Greg Lowe, took the name from the sword of Flash Gordon in the TV series.
Donated by Mick Tighe
29/09/2011
29/09/2011
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
29/09/2011